By BRIAN BOHNERT
For The Courier
FOSTORIA — A judge has yet to decide whether a 17-year-old boy charged in the shooting death of a 20-year-old Fostoria woman late last month will be tried as an adult.
Garrett N. Brown, whose last listed address is Findlay, appeared before Judge Jay A. Meyer Friday afternoon for a transfer hearing. According to Teresa Kopp, Seneca County Juvenile and Probate Court administrator, the Seneca County Prosecutor’s Office requested that Brown be bound over to Seneca County Common Pleas Court so he can be prosecuted as an adult.
Brown, along with Tyson J. Ogg, 18, who is listed as a transient, and Dallas A. Salaz, 19, Fostoria, are accused of breaking into a residence at 218 E. Culbertson St. on May 21 and fatally shooting 20-year-old Janelle Mauricio. Mauricio’s boyfriend, 19-year-old Caleb Barto, was assaulted by the intruders, police said.
Kopp said during Friday’s hearing, Judge Meyer heard testimony from Barto and Fostoria Police Det. Shilo Frankart. Afterwards, the judge decided to take the prosecutor’s motion up for consideration, and indicated he will issue a written decision in the near future.
Kopp said she expects the decision to be made early next week.
Brown is currently being held at the Seneca County Youth Center, while Ogg and Salaz are being held in Seneca County Jail.
According to court documents, the suspects had allegedly intended to steal money and illegal drugs from the house.
Brown allegedly shot Mauricio with a 9 mm handgun, and Salaz allegedly struck Barto “with great force” in the right shoulder and back area with a metal pipe, leaving welts and abrasions on his body. Ogg allegedly served as the getaway driver, court records state.
Police have said Mauricio’s death was caused by a single gunshot wound to the leg after the bullet “traveled and tumbled” in a way that hit vital organs.
Ogg and Brown are facing charges of aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and felonious assault. Salaz has been charged with complicity to commit aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and felonious assault.